02 September 2010

52 Weeks to Better Genealogy: Week #35


Week 35: Examine the Daughters of the American Revolution® Genealogical Research System (GRS)  Even if you aren’t a member of DAR, you can benefit from this wonderful database. Look at the page and enter some test searches. If you know of a Patriot in your line, try that name in the search box. If you don’t have a Patriot name, use John Smith. Explore the results and see the type ...of information you uncover. Bloggers are encouraged to share their knowledge of this great research tool with their readers.


You start from the home page by clicking on 'click image to open GRS'.  Since I had been to the webpage before, I was taken directly to the ancestor search page.  I knew I had three ancestors that were patriots.  The three ancestors were Alexander Glover, Moses Poor, and Hopkins Rowley. 
 
The information that I found included ancestor number, state of service, rank, birthdate and place, death date and place, service source, and service description.  If you click on the ancestor number you will find residence, spouse and associated applications and supplementals.  The associated applications and supplementals section will show children.  This page also tells you if supporting documentation is available and if a descendants list is available.  Each person who is listed here will have a nat'l number that you can click. 
 
For example, Alexander Glover's record:
GLOVER, ALEXANDER
Ancestor #: A045679
Service: MASSACHUSETTS    Rank: PRIVATE
 Birth: 3-20-1756 COLUMBIA WINDHAM CO CONNECTICUT
Death: 1-27-1826 PHELPS ONTARIO CO NEW YORK
Service Source: MA SOLS & SAILS, VOL 6, P 505
Service Description: 1) CAPTS MURRAY, DINSMORE, FRENCH  2) COLS WOODBRIDGE, FIELD, WELLS
 
Moses Poor record:
POOR, MOSES
Ancestor #: A202380
Service: NEW HAMPSHIRE   Rank: PRIVATE
Birth: 3-10-1743 NEWBURY ESSEX CO MASSACHUSETTS
Death: 6-17-1775 BOSTON SUFFOLK CO MASSACHUSETTS
Service Source: HAMMOND, ROLLS OF THE SOLS IN THE REV WAR, STATE PAPERS NH, VOL XIV PP 52,53; NARA M881; COMBINED MILITARY SERVICE RECORD.
Service Description: 1) CAPT ELISHA WOODBURY CO, COL JNO STARK REGT; KILLED AT BUNKER HILL, 17 JUNE 1775
 
I was so encouraged by the information I found on the above two patriots, I couldn't wait to research my third, Hopkins Rowley.  I had found some historical information (secondary sources) about Hopkins Rowley being a Green Mountain Boy and the taking of Fort Ticonderoga.  So, I thought good now I can learn more about him.  I guess I was counting my chickens before they hatched because when I searched for Hopkins Rowley, I got the dreaded notice "TREAT AS NEW ANCESTOR".  Why do I say dreaded?  Because this means that no application or supplemental application information has been verified since earlier in the society.  This means that all information must be documented using today's standards.  It wasn't a total washout as I did see some information.
 
ROWLEY, HOPKINS    Ancestor #: A099320
Notice: TREAT AS NEW ANCESTOR (WHY?)
Service: VERMONT Rank: PRIVATE
Birth: 12-18-1758 BEEKMAN PATENT DUTCHESS CO NEW YORK
Death: 9-1-1831 SHOREHAM ADDISON CO VERMONT
Service Description: 1) CAPT COOLEY, COL WARREN
 
Since the 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy prompt was posted I decided to see if I could find any other patriot ancestors.  Rather than blindly type in surnames, I decided to see who in my family tree was of the age to have served in the American Revolution and look for their names.  I found three other ancestors in the database:  Seth Beal, Thomas Bowles, and William Salisbury. 
 
I feel honored to be a descendant of such brave and patriotic men.  One, Moses Poor, gave his life in the Battle of Bunker Hill.  The patriots and their relationship to me are:
 
Seth Beal, Sr.-My 6th Great Grandfather
Thomas Bowles-My 5th Great Grandfather
Alexander Glover-My 4th Great Grandfather
Moses Poor-My 5th Great Grandfather
Hopkins Rowley-My 4th Great Grandfather
William Salisbury-My 5th Great Grandfather
 
The DAR website opened up new resources for me to check and to learn more about my ancestry.  If you haven't checked the DAR website out, you should.  You never know who you may find.

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